Abdominal and lower back exercise apparatus

Abstract

An abdominal exercise apparatus has an elongated rigid member for positioning between a user's back and a support surface for executing a crunch. A grasping mechanism, such as a strap member, is attached to the rigid member to allow the user to lift the head end of the rigid member from the support surface by contracting the abdominal muscles. A pivot member is connected to the rigid member adjacent the user's lower back and positioned to engage the support surface. A weight retaining mechanism, such as a post, adapted to receive weighted plates, may be attached to the rigid member to enhance the workout to the abdominal and lower back muscles.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An abdominal exercise apparatus comprising: a rigid member having an upper surface for supporting the head, neck, shoulders, and back of a user and a lower surface for positioning on a support surface, said rigid member having a head end for supporting at least the external occipital protuberance of the user and a pivot end for supporting the lower back of the user wherein the head end terminates at a head edge and wherein the pivot end terminates at a pivot edge;   flexible grasping means coupled to the head end; and   a pivot member connected to the rigid member immediately adjacent the pivot edge allowing for the rotation of the apparatus about the pivot end, wherein the rigid member is elevated at the pivot end.   
     
     
       2. The abdominal exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pivot member has a rounded lower surface for engaging the support surface, and a flat portion for attachment to the rigid member. 
     
     
       3. The abdominal exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pivot member comprises a high friction surface for nonslidably engaging the support surface. 
     
     
       4. The abdominal exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rigid member has a generally rectangular shape, and the upper surface of the rigid member is padded. 
     
     
       5. The abdominal exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein said grasping means comprises two strap members extending outwardly from opposite sides of the rigid member. 
     
     
       6. The abdominal exercise apparatus of claim 5 wherein said strap member is formed with loops and comprises an adjustment mechanism. 
     
     
       7. The abdominal exercise apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for adjusting the resistance on the user's abdominal muscles during the lifting of the head end of the rigid member, and at least two reference strips on the upper surface. 
     
     
       8. The abdominal exercise apparatus of claim 7 wherein the means for adjusting the resistance comprises a post attached at the head end of the rigid member for receiving weighted plates. 
     
     
       9. The abdominal exercise apparatus of claim 8 wherein the post is substantially L-shaped. 
     
     
       10. The abdominal exercise apparatus of claim 7 wherein the means for adjusting the resistance comprises two sets of strap connectors spaced apart along the length of the rigid member and two straps for connecting to the strap connectors. 
     
     
       11. The abdominal exercise apparatus of claim 7 wherein the means for adjusting the resistance comprises a second pivot member having a different height than the pivot member for replacing the pivot member to enhance the negative lowering of the rigid member to exercise and strengthen the spinal erector muscles and stretch the abdominal muscles. 
     
     
       12. An abdominal exercise apparatus for isolating the abdominal muscles during exercising comprising: a rigid member positionable between a back of a user and a position for supporting the head of a user and a support surface;   flexible grasping means connected adjacent a head end of the rigid member for grasping by the user to lift the head end from the support surface when the abdominal muscles are contracted; and   a pivot member attached immediately adjacent a pivot edge of the rigid member allowing for the rotation of the apparatus about the pivot member, wherein the rigid member is elevated at the pivot edge.   
     
     
       13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the rigid member comprises a board having a length of approximately 24 inches.